Caris was picked up during the third round of draft picks and joins former Ararat Storm footballer Georgia Clarke at the Cats. Clarke was picked up by Geelong with pick 24 at the end of the second round.

It was a great result for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels program – Rebels player Sophie Van De Heuvel was picked up by Geelong as well with pick two, while Lauren Butler was taken by Collingwood with pick 18.

Caris won’t look out of place in the AFLW. She had a great experience this year playing with Carlton in the Victorian Football League Women’s competition.

Caris also played TAC Cup football with the Rebels and went to Carlton to get some experience against senior players.

Caris joins former Lady Hornet baksetballer Sophie Alexander who was selected before the draft by Collingwood.

AFL Wimmera-Mallee junior development manager Jason Muldoon said Caris had put in a lot of work to be drafted.

“She has popped up for the Rebels, the Horsham Saints and Carlton in the VFLW, as well as winning an A Grade netball flag with the Saints too,” he said.

“She has opened up the pathway for girls in the Wimmera and given them someone to look up to. Hopefully she can go on and have a good career.”

Although Alexander has also been drafted, Caris is the first Wimmera girl to have played in the junior Rebels pathway and gone onto be picked up by an AFLW club. 

“Since the inception of the AFLW she is our first trail blazing girl to get there through the pathways,” Muldoon said. “She has grabbed every opportunity and I can’t see this being any different for her. She is the type of girl who doesn’t get too flustered.”

Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said having four girls picked up was a great result for western Victoria.

“It’s really exciting for the local clubs and local schools who have helped in their development,” he said.

“It's a credit to everyone who has helped develop these girls and helped start their dream. Five years ago the dream wasn't there.

“It was an exciting feeling to be at the draft. Whilst we were confident we were going to get some girls drafted, there's always that unknown where they will go. To have three girls picked by Geelong and to have teammates knowing each other is really good. 

“No doubt you are feeling nervous but a number is just a number. To see Rene get picked up in the mid-draft was exciting for her and her family.”